North Korea in 'early phase of all-out confrontation with US'

North Korea has pledged to begin work "weaponising" plutonium to
create another nuclear bomb as it delivered a furious response to a UN
resolution ordering a fresh round of sanctions against the rogue Stalinist
state.

The regime of the ailing dictator Kim Jong-il said it was now in the "early phase of all-out confrontation with the US" as it sought to raise tensions on the Korean Peninsular to dangerous new levels.

On Friday the Security Council ordered an almost-total arms embargo and a raft of strict financial sanctions against the North in punishment for its testing of a second nuclear device last month.

In a bellicose statement, Pyongyang described the sanctions as the "vile product" of US policy in the region, adding that it would also begin work enriching uranium as it sought to build up stocks of fissile material for its nuclear weapons programme.

The North is thought to have approximately 8,000 spent plutonium fuel rods which, if reprocessed, could yield 6-8kg of high-grade plutonium, or enough to make at least one more nuclear bomb.

The sanctions have also authorised UN member-states to stop and search North Korean vessels on the high seas if they suspect they are carrying banned nuclear or missile components, a measure that has drawn particular ire from Pyongyang.

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North Korea replied that any attempt to blockade its ships would be regarded "as an act of war and met with a decisive military response", and promised to meet any confrontation with "all-out confrontation".

The belligerent response to the sanctions order, which explicitly rules out the use of military force, was anticipated by the US which has sought to downplay tensions, repeatedly calling for Pyongyang to return to the negotiating table.

US intelligence sources have said they now fully expect North Korea to test a third nuclear device and go ahead with another test-firing of its Taepodong-2 ballistic missile, for which preparations are already under way according to satellite imagery.

Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN, said that "based on past experience and a pattern that North Korea has of reckless and dangerous actions, it would not be a surprise if North Korea reacted to this very tough sanctions regime in a fashion that would be further provocation."

The latest round of brinkmanship from Pyongyang comes after six months in which relations have deteriorated rapidly after the Six-Party nuclear disarmament talks stalled last December over US demands for fuller verification of North Korea's decommissioning.

After being censured by the UN for conducting a ballistic missile test in April, the North reacted by testing a second nuclear device last month, which analysts said had four times the power of its first test in October 2006.

The second test was also seen as an attempt by the physically ailing Kim Jong-il to bolster his standing at home prior to the announcement that his 25-year-old son, Kim Jong-un, would be his successor.

Diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang since 2006 has been based on the idea that North Korea would give up its nuclear program in return for food and fuel aid which it desperately needs to feed its people and prop up its bankrupt regime.

However in yesterday's statement Pyongyang said it was now "an absolutely impossible option" for it to give up its nuclear weapons, adding "it makes no difference to the DPRK [North Korea] whether its nuclear status is recognised or not".

Analysts said the impact of the latest sanctions regime would depended on how far China and the US were prepared to act to enforce the new provisions, particularly stopping and searching North Korean shipping.

During two weeks of intense negotiations in New York, both Russia and China argued for a softer approach to Pyongyang, fearing that draconian measures could be counterproductive and further destabilise the regime.

Although the resolution was eventually passed unanimously, China was quick to emphasise after the vote that the cargo inspections were "very complicated and sensitive" and could not carried out by force.

"The countries concerned have to act prudently in accordance with international and domestic laws," said Zhang Yesui, China's UN ambassador, "Under no circumstances should there be the use of force or the threat of use of force."